Glucose 1 phosphate promotes compartmentalization of glycogen with the pentose phosphate pathway in CD8+ memory T cells: Molecular Cell The pentose phosphate pathway: An antioxidant defense and a crossroad in tumor cell fate ScienceDirect Pentose Phosphate Pathway on the MCAT MedLife Mastery Pentose Phosphate Pathway made simple. This pathway has two major jobs: Generate NADPH Produce ribose 5 phosphate NADPH protects cells from oxidative stress and supports fatty acid, cholesterol, steroid, nitric oxide, and respiratory burst